WP 1: Developing an integrated framework and approach for assessing agricultural/rural innovation systems and local/traditional knowledge

Task 1.1: Collection, documentation and analysis of baseline information

WUR will lead a literature review to critically reflect upon IS theories and related approaches and their usefulness to analyse multistakeholder innovation processes in small-scale farming. This review serves as an input for Task 1.2.

Task 1.2: Develop an analytical framework for assessment of innovation cases

An analytical framework will be developed in a participatory and iterative way for designing an operational approach and guidelines for individual and comparative assessment of case studies on multi-actor agricultural/rural innovation systems (Task 1.3). A draft analytical framework will be developed by WUR and CIRAD that will be further developed through joint discussion and validation with other consortium partners globally (Event G1) and then adapted to suit the conditions of each of the three African countries (Events N-X1). To this end, WUR and CIRAD will provide technical backstopping to the partners in applying the framework to the cases (WP 2.3). The outputs of this task will be fed into WP3, which will use them as core components of the capacity-strengthening programme (Events N-X1 and N-X2).

The analytical framework will be built around three cornerstones:

1. Innovation domains  including the following types: (a) technical (new set of knowledge and/or practice around the application of an existing material item); (b) technological (new physical content/artefact); (c) institutional (re-organised human relationships and capacities in the interest of achieving a desired outcome); and (d) a combination of the above-mentioned three types. The typology of innovation domains will be developed by using information from the inventory of innovation cases carried out by CIRAD and the three national convenors in South Africa, Kenya and Benin, as Task 2.1 in WP2.
2. Stakeholder roles and contributions in innovation systems and processes. Emergence of synergies or conflicts, and construction of social relations between actors will be the major foci.
3. Intentionality of innovation processes . Interactions between formal, directed (orchestrated) processes that aim at creating innovation and informal, non-directed ones that result in innovation as an emergent quality.

By analysing and comparing our case studies – particularly the in-depth ones (WP2 Task 2.3) – according to this framework, we expect that structural patterns will emerge in the way innovation systems function, including the interaction of traditional and formal institutions and knowledge systems.

Task 1.3: Design operational approach and guidelines for participatory assessment of innovation systems

The operational approach for participatory assessment of innovation systems in small-scale farming will be based on the framework developed in Task 1.2. It will be designed in two steps: first a generic approach will be developed (which will be validated by all project partners during Event G1) and then an approach specifically adapted to local conditions under the coordination of KARI, UP and UAC through successive events at the national level (N-X1 and NX-2) in South Africa, Kenya and Benin.

As mentioned under Task 1.2, the outputs of Task 1.3 constitute an integral part of capacity-strengthening (WP3).

Task 1.4: Methodological synthesis and lessons learnt

WUR and the three national convenors will contribute to formulating lessons learnt on joint development of the conceptual framework (Task 1.2) and the operational approach (Task 1.3) by systematically analysing the experiences gained during the process of case-study development (WP2 Task 1.3) and capacity-strengthening (WP3). The corresponding lessons will be identified in each country during the events N-X3 and formally integrated during global event G3.

Deliverables WP1

D1.1  A review of IS theories and approaches and their significance for and usefulness in analysing agricultural/rural innovation in small-scale farming in Africa (Month 6)

D1.2  An analytical framework for assessing agricultural/rural innovation systems and the role of L/TK (draft first version Month 6, consolidated version Month 28)

D1.3  An operational approach and guidelines to case-study development (draft first version Month 6, consolidated version Month 28)

D1.4  A synthesis report on the participatory process of assessing agricultural/rural innovation systems and the role of L/TK, and lessons learnt (Month 30)